UN human rights rapporteur to visit Kashmir Jan 19
By IANSFriday, January 14, 2011
NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR - United Nations rapporteur on human rights Margaret Sekaggya will visit Srinagar on Jan 19 to assess the condition of “human rights defenders” in the conflict-hit Kashmir Valley, a UN official said Friday.
“Sekaggya, the special rapporteur on human rights defenders appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, arrived in India on Jan 11 on the invitation of the central government,” Rajiv Chandran, national information officer of the United Nations mission in India, told IANS.
“She will be going to Srinagar Jan 19 on a day’s visit. The rapporteur will meet government officials and other persons concerned with human rights defenders during her visit.”
He was noncommittal when asked whether she would meet separatist leaders.
“I do not know. The visit is organised directly by the rapporteurs’ office. She can meet anyone concerned with human rights defenders.”
Sekaggya would file a report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The report is likely to be submitted in March.
The visit has been facilitated by the home and external affairs ministries, Chandran said.
